Page 36 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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template any attack upon thorn. (Vide Sir H.
Elliot's despatch No. 399 of tho/1th November,
1871.)
In October 1873 a question arose regarding
the enforced enlistment of natives of Bahrein
into the Turkish Army. A notowas accordingly
addressed to the Turkish Ambassador on the 14th
April, 1871, which after drawing his Excellency's 1871.
attention to previous communications, distinctly
stated that Her Majesty’s Government did not
admit the claim of Turkey to consider Bahrein as
part of the Ottoman Dominions,and that, if natives
of that island applied to British Consuls in
Turkey for protection, the latter could not refuse
their good otTicos on hehalf of such persons.
In Juno 1879 the British Ambassador at To Sir IT. Layavd,
Constantinople was instructed to make repre-
sentations respecting a reported proposal to Sir II Uynrd,
establish a Turkish coal dcp6t at Bahrein, and No. 501,
June 10, 1870.
to urge the Porto to disavow tho project. Aetiou India (Mice,
was also taken by the Indian Government in order **5,/Jj0,u,K*r
to induco the Sheikh of Bahrein, in tho event
of tho proposal being made to him, to act upon
the advice of the British Political llcsidcnt in
the Persian Gulf.
An attempt was actually made iu 1880 by a Admiralty,
Turkish vessel to establish a coaling station at May 14, 1880.
Bahrein, hut was frustrated by the Sheikh, who
refused permission for tho undertaking.
As a result of this incident, the Sheikh 1880.
was induced to conclude a Treaty with the
British Government by which ho undertook
to abstain from entering into negotiations with
any other Power, and to refuse permission to any
other Government to establish agencies oretaling
dep6ts on bis territory.
in 188S-9 the Turkish claim to Bahrein was 1888-9.
rc-asscrtcd and refuted. The Ottoman Govern­
ment were informed that any attempt to land
on tho island would be opposed by force (vide
despatches No. 15 of the 26th January, 1888,
and No. 121 of the 17th April, 188^, to Sir W.
White).
A question of British protection over Bah- 1892.
reinese in Turkey arose in 1892 over the resti- To Sir C. Ford,
tution of taxes levied at Bussorah, and Her Telegraphic,
Majesty’s Ambassador reminded tho Porte that, ^3!j2°ml>or 10,
Bahrein being under British protection, Her
Majesty’s Government could not admit Turkish
interference with the uutives of the island.
A landing of Turkish troops was again appro- 1892.